Cervical cancer is caused most often by the human papillomavirus. The American Cancer Society estimates that 11,270 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed in 2009. Symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods after intercourse and after menopause, heavier periods, back pain, pelvic pain, increased urination and loss of appetite. While a cervical cancer diagnosis is possible, many different diseases and disorders can mimic the signs of cervical cancer.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths on the uterus that most commonly appear during the childbearing years. As many as three out of four women may have uterine fibroids, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of uterine fibroids may include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, difficulty emptying bladder, constipation, backache and leg pain. Many uterine fibroids disappear without treatment. Physicians often use medications such as Gn-RH to trigger menstrual cycles and stimulate ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, which may help shrink fibroids. Physicians may also recommend an intrauterine device (IUD) to help relieve heavy bleeding and pain caused by fibroids.
Endrometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the tissues that usually line the uterus begin to grow somewhere else. This tissue can grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus as well as in or on the bowels and bladder. Endometriosis may be mild to severe and tends to get worse at the condition progresses. Symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, including pelvic pain and cramping, pelvic pain between periods, lower back, excessive menstrual bleeding and infertility. Treatment for endometriosis most often includes hormone therapy, such as birth control pills and injectable birth control, to help reduce or eliminate the pain. Women wishing to become pregnant may need to undergo surgery to remove the excess tissue.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. PID is most commonly caused by gonorrhea or chamydia but any bacteria can cause the infection. PID causes scarring on the tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, which can lead to conditions such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain and other problems, according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms of PID include dull pain or tenderness in the abdominal area, vaginal discharge, irregular menstrual periods with heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, low back pain and painful urination. Physicians commonly treat PID with antibiotics.
